Shield



E. E. KINTZ SHIELD Jan. 7, 1936.

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1933 E. E. KINTZ Jan, 7, 1936.

SHIELD 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 16, 1933 1 up m K E m M Patented Jan. 7, 1936 UNITED STATES SHIELD- Earl E. Kintz, Bucyrus, Ohio Application; December 16, 1933, Serial No. 702,811

Claims.

This invention relates to a protector or shield for the face, particularly the eyes, that is designed for the use of those who are subjected to the elements during the course of employment or otherwise and require some efiicient, practical, yet inexpensive'means of protection.

My novel protector is designedparticularly for trainmen, aviators, linemen, and those who are dependent upon unobscured vision for the proper performance of their duties and who require provtection for the exposed portions of the face lest they be hampered in the'performance of their duties. Several attempts have been made to provide face or eye shields that could be worn without discomfiture to the user, which may arise from any one of a number of sources, such as the steaming of the lens, unstable mounting, lack of proper ventilation; the adjustability to the individual use, etc. a f

It may be said that one objector this invention is to provide a shield or protector that may be worn without discomfiture to the user and which may be supported, inone embodiment, by the peak of a cap and which is possessed of certain virtues which will'permit of the adjustability of the shield toward or away from the face to accommodate variances in physiognomy.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an eye shield wherein means are provided for ventilating the space between the face and the glass to overcome steaming of the glass and to allay discomfiture which would arise from perspiration which would be induced. In this regard I have doubly insured against discomfiture to the user by affording means which will'prevent perspiration fromtrickling down behind the goggle from a point above the same. Thisfalls in line with my thought of giving to the eye shield a shape such that it follows the curvature of the face laterally and which will fit snugly thereagainst to seal the protected portionsof' the face against the elements. i

Another object of the invention is to combine with the eye shield a mask which may be mounted on the shield and draped over the. lower' parts of the face and caught behind the neckto insure against exposure of those portions of. the face.

It is also my aimi'toapermit the eye shield tobe attached to the head by means of a lace or cord while yet preserving, all of the features of sealing the zone of the face to be protected against the elements, or in other words, to obtain a tightfit that will exclude the entrance of rain, dirt, moisture, etc., behind. the shield. p p p a Other. objects andadvantageous features of this invention are tobe better observed in the following detailed description and in the accompanying drawings, wherein like characters of reference indicate like parts, and wherein:--

Figure l-is a view illustrating a preferred form of my shield as actually worn by the user. t

Figure 2 is a front perspective View showing the attaching clamp in open position and also disclosingthe manner in which I obtain ventilation 10 behind the shield by virtue of apertures in the body of the shield. I V

Figure 3 is a perspective view taken from the top and to the rear of the inside of the shield so as to bring'out the curvature thereof for one thing 15 and to disclose thegeneral outline of the clamp.

Figure 4 is a section taken on line 44 of Fig ure3.

Figure. 5 is a vertical section the lens" frames.

Figure 6 is a perspective, partly'in section, of one of the lensframes.

Figure '7 is afront perspective disclosing the attaching means for joining the clamp ands'hield.

Figure 8 is a plan view showing the clamp in one position of adjustment.

Figure 9 is a plan view of an element which is attached to the lens frame when the shield is to be used without the clasp.

Figure 10 is a section taken on the line Ill-l0 of Figure 9.;

Figure 11 is a plan view of the mask, which may be employed with the shield for protecting other parts of the face.

Figure 12 is a view showing the complete assembly as worn by a user.

With reference to the drawings, I have shown in Figures 1 and 2 a prefered form of my shield, andFigure 1 depicts the manner in which it would be applied to thebrim of a cap when in actual use. Essentially, the eye shield consists in aneye'frame member Acarrying the lens B plus an attaching member inthe form of a clamp C by virtue of which the device is attached to the brim of acap. The device is of such a character that the eye frame A may be employed without. the clamp member and can be affixed to the head in the usual manner by means of a lace or cord, and is also of such a construction that a mask such as that shown at D in Figure 11 can be attached thereto for covering the lower part of the faceand protecting the same so that the whole assembly might well act as a complete shield for the face against the elements, or the through 'one of clamp member also takes a corresponding curvature to properly accommodate the brim or peak of a cap, and also to afford a symmetry of design with the eye shield This clamp essentially consists in a base member I which may be simple stamping having its rear arcuate edge .downturned as at 2 to embrace the upper edge of the frame A, as in Figure 4. The base member is also formed with an extension 3 having the end thereof turned to form a semi-cylindrical part 4 for the reception of a pin 5 to form, as will be hereinater pointed out, a hinge joint with the upper clamping member. The upper clamping member, which is indicated by the reference character 6, takes the form shown in Figure 3 and wherein the rearmost edge thereof is turned upwardly as at 1 to form a part which is inpin extends to form the hinged joint mentioned.

The upper clamping member 6 is biased toward the lower member by virtue of a spring member 9 having legs ID that extend from either side of the pin and are down-tumed at their ends and extend through apertures H in the member. The down-turned ends are pointed so that each will penetrate the material of the cap brim and tend to increase the efliciency of the bond between the cap and the clamp. In addition, member 6 is apertured as at l2 to accommodate the snap attachment or button usually found on the visor of the cap.

This clamping member is so attached to the frame A that it may be moved relative thereto to a position such as that shown in Figure 8, or, in other words, the eye shield frame A, of Figure 1, may be swung upwardly toward the brim of the cap in the event that the user did not care to avail himself of the use of the eye shield for the moment. To accomplish this end I have provided a hinge member shown best in Figure 2 which is identified by the numeral Hi. The hinge in its lower leaf is provided with slotted openings l5 for the reception of bolts I6 which enter from the front face of the shield. and receive nuts on the rear end thereof. The other leg of the hinge is attached to the underside of the lower clamping member in the zone 3 by bolts [6. The resilient member I! mounted on the hinge pin tends to bias the hinge toward an open position as shown in Figure 7. Now by this arrangement loosening of the bolts IE will permit the hinge to be moved upwardly and to raise the clamp, thereby making it possible to vary the positional relation between the frame A and clamp, for the accommodation of the user.

As mentioned, the frame A may be swung up to the position shown in Figure 8 and to retain the frame and clamp in the relative position shown, I have provided a latching member l8, Figure 2, that is attached, by means of a bolt, to the. extension-8 of the upper clamping member as shown and has the lower end thereof upturned as at 19 so as to move' under and engage the frame A in the zone 20 which lies between the lens B and overlies the nose. Inasmuch as I provide a sealing member 2| for a purpose which will be hereinafter described, I have found 5 it desirable to form a T-slot therein as at 22 in Figure 3, to accommodate the end of the latching member l8 and allow the same to move through the sealing member and hook over the frame.

This clamping device can be made up of simple stampings that will be relatively easy to assemble and inexpensive to manufacture. The plates per se are relatively broad and afford wide clamping surfaces which will tend to reinforce and hold a cap brim relatively stiff or rigid regardless of the flexibility of the cap brim, which is an advantage when the brim is flimsy. In attaching the same, the visor of the cap is introduced between the clamping plates after a snap has been first opened, and, after locating the g0 snap in the,hole 12, the snap may be closed and the clamp and goggles are in position for use.

Referring now to the frame member A, I preferably intend to construct this member so that it u will have a curvature such as to be substantially form-fitted over the upper part of the face, particularly about the eyes and over thenose. It is also of such a construction that it substantially seals against the face around its marginal edge, thereby preventing the entry of dust, dirt, moisture etc. in this zone. Additionally, it is so constructed that an air chamber is provided within the frame albeit there can be no entrance of dirt and dust directly through the entire frame. This affords a circulation of 'air behind the eye shield which relieves the wearer of the discomforture of perspiration and the annoyance of moisture collecting on the lens.

Particularly, the frame construction consists of front and back members 23 and 24 which are also simple stamping and are intended to be pressed together and to receive and retain between their abutting edges, a rubber gasket 2| which is intended to lie snugly against the face as shown in Figure 1. These plates are also formed so as to accommodate the lens B and to this end the back member 24 is provided with a circular wall 28 and the front member with a circular wall 21, the wall 28 being inturned to abut against the lens B and hold the same in firm engagement against the wall 21. In addition the gasket member 2| is apertured in the zone of the eye socket so that it may be caught between the walls 21 and 28, as shown, to seal against the passage of moisture and air. In the embodiment shown, the gasket does not extend entirely around the lens, albeit it may extend entirely around said lens and may also follow the marginal edge of the frame A over its total distance. 60

Since the frame is made up of two inter-fitting plate members that telescope, it may or may not be necessary to extend the gasket entirely around the marginal edge thereof, and it may be left to personal preference.

It will be understood that there are several apertures 3| shown in the front member 23 of the frame A which are staggered with respect to a plurality of openings in the back member 24.

Since the front and back members are spaced apart, an air chamber is formed therebetween as shown in Figure 6, and by virtue of such construction, air may not pass directly through the frame, but is diverted and entrapped in the air chamber and filtered through the discharge openings on the reverse side. Substantially an air chamber is formed encompassing the lens.

When I use the eye shield in a normal manner without the clamping member, as with a strap about the head, then the strap or band 34' is attached to the frame through the eyes 35 which lie on either side thereof as shown, and may be attached in any way desired. First, however, I remove the clamping member by taking out the bolts I6 and substituting a shield 38, Figure 9 which is provided with an attaching tab 39 drilled to receive the bolts 16. This member is form-fitting and serves to space the goggle frame outwardly from the head slightly for the purpose of preventing the ventilating holes from being obstructed and also to prevent perspiration from trickling down the eye shield from a point above the same. This member may be a simple stamping also, which takes the form shown in cross section in Figure 10.

As I have mentioned before, my novel arrangement to be wholly protective to the face, includes a mask D for the lower part of' the face, including the nostrils and mouth, which may be worn as an attachment and hooked to the frame by means of the hooks 40, shown in Figure 11, and drawn back underneath the chin and around the neck and cars by means of the flap portions 4| which are provided with a separable fastener 42. The mask is also provided with one part of a snap fastener as at 44 for cooperation with a mating part 45 secured to the bridge of the frame.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

1. In a device of the character described, the combination of an eye shield, a clamping member for securing said eye shield to a supporting surface, resilient means on said clamping member and projecting through the same for penetrating the supporting surface to assist in securing the clamp thereto, means for mounting said clamping member on said eye shield, said means comprising a hinge slidably mounted upon the eye shield, and resilient means for continually biasing said hinge toward an open position irrespective of the extent to which the hinge is open.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination of an eye shield curved in the direction of its lengthto fit the face of the wearer, a clamp for mounting said eye shield upon a supporting surface, said clamp being curved in the direction of its length to follow the contour of a supporting surface, said clamp including a pair of plate members having a common axle for joining said plate members, resilient means encompassing said axle for urging said plate members toward one another, means for mounting said clamping devices upon said eye shield which includes a hinge, one leg of which is slidably mounted upon said eye shield, and means for biasing said hinge toward open position.

3. In a device of the character described, the combination of an eye shield, a clamping member for attaching said shield to a supporting surface, means for attachingsaid shield to said clamp, said means affording movement therebetween, means associated with said clamp for penetrating the supporting surface to assist insecuring the clamp thereto, said clamp being provided with an opening intermediate said last mentioned means for the introduction of fastening means carried by the supporting surface.

4. In a device of the character described, comprising, in combination, an eye shield, a clamping member for attaching said shield to a supporting surface, said clamping member being provided with openings, instrumentalities for attaching the clamping member to said shield, and resilient means associated with said clamping member and projecting through said openings for penetrating the supporting surface to assist in securing the clamp thereto.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of an eye shield, a clamping member on which said eye shield is mounted, said clamping member constituting means for attaching the eye shield to a cap visor or the like, and comprising upper and lower clamping plates having means coacting therewith to yieldably urge the same towards each other in effecting a clamping action therebetween, said plates being constructed of substantially rigid material and being laterally and rearwardly extended to provide relatively broad clamping surfaces of a size sufiicient to reinforce the visor substantially throughout its lateral and longitudinal dimensions when the clamping member is applied to the visor so as to embrace the same between the clamping plates,

the rear edges of the clamping plates being curved laterally and bent away from each other to provide form-fitting flanges substantially conforming to the shape of the upper part of the face,

and said clamping member also having means for preventing accidental displacement of the same from the visor to which it is adapted to be attached.

EARL E. KINTZ. 

